Posted on 05/06/2015 12:42:42 AM PDT by Sivad
When I was a kid I thought it would be cool to learn just how many Japanese my dad had killed during the War so I just asked him. He never had a problem telling me about his WWII experiences as a 11th AB paratrooper. But this time he sternly declined to answer. He was always proud of his military service but considered killing other people a necessary evil not something to flaunt. While helping to liberate Manila he received a wound to the top of his head which required a titanium plate to help mend. He lived over 70 years past that event and, boy, what a life he lived! He was a Missouri born common sense man who built his own house and earned a PhD just to show the blowhards working in the California Dept of Education that their big degrees weren't so hard to get. He could quickly field dress an elk and recite obscure 19th Century poetry. When I was six I was his pheasant hunting dog when a real dog was unavailable. At 7 he provided me with a 20 gauge and one shell. I still love hunting although wild birds are almost a thing of the past in Northern California. Teaching high school agriculture in the 60s was an all male proposition. There were more than a few tough farm boys who learned the hard way not to challenge a 5'5" former airborne regimental champion boxer.
In the 70s this same man helped coach California's first female state FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) president in public speaking and helped her to become the first female National FFA president.
The man did not suffer fools but he could find a job that a poor rural teen could do to earn money to purchase a new pair of Levis and boots back in the 50s and 60s. And you never heard about it until the kid grew up and told you what he thought of your dad and why.
He died tonight. He joined my mom, his wife of 64 years. Among the last of a one of a kind breed. Thanks, Dad. And, thanks FReepers.
“The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.”
Thomas Carlyle
Thank you, for making this good man, known to us.
May God rest his immortal soul FRiend, and bring some comfort to you in your loss.
Tatt
You have my condolences on the loss of one of the Greatest Generation. But more importantly the loss of your father. Sounds as though he lived a full life with the love of his life.
As I grew up I will always remember the WWII fathers like my dad and many of my friends dads. They were all men of steal forged in the hell of war. I tell my children and grand children of the giants that once walked in our land. It’s sad so few are still with us but there units are forming up and the roll is being called. Stand too brothers in arms.
Prayers up for your wonderful Dad.
God Bless
Thank you for the respect and love filled report as it is no story. We grew up in great times thanks to men like your father, and mine and so many others.
Anarchists, stalinists, communists, all had to wait until that generation passed before they could launch assaults on the American experience.
May God help us as we strive to stand in their place.
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